Meeting Summary and Briefs: Casey-Westfield CUSD C-4 Board of Education for June 22, 2026

Casey-Westfield CUSD C-4 Board of Education Meeting | June 22, 2026

The Casey-Westfield Community Unit School District C-4 Board of Education met in regular session at 7 p.m. Monday, June 22, 2026, with all seven members present — President Tracy Gelb, Becky Clement, Jason Sharp, Lisa Huddlestun, Mike Fouty, Shane Todd, and Erin Fain, who participated by phone. Five district administrators attended. The board opened with a public hearing on the amended fiscal year 2026 budget, which drew no audience questions, and closed the night at 8:46 p.m. after acting on 12 personnel recommendations.

Every roll-call vote taken Monday was unanimous. The board’s most significant actions included a $42,973.36 science and English language arts curriculum purchase for Monroe Elementary, covered in a standalone story; acceptance of a $187,661 property, casualty and liability insurance renewal for fiscal 2026-2027, also covered separately; adoption of the amended FY 2026 budget; and acceptance of an approximately $8,500 vision screener donation from the Casey Lions Club. In administrator reports, Superintendent Shackelford urged board members to educate themselves about the County 1% School Facility Sales Tax as property tax pressures mount following Casey’s spring reassessment — a topic given its own story. The board also filled a district bookkeeper post, a bus route driver position and six coaching and sponsor roles after a 55-minute closed session.

Board Approves 16-Item Consent Agenda in Single Unanimous Vote

The board approved its full consent agenda 7-0 on a motion by Jason Sharp seconded by President Tracy Gelb. The package included the May 18, 2026, regular meeting minutes; destruction of verbatim recordings 18 months and older under Board Policy 220 and 220-E1; approval of financial reports and current invoices; a milk and dairy bid from Prairie Farms for 2026-2027; renewal of the district firewall license with Quality Network Solutions at $10,115; the district’s prevailing wage resolution; bank depository designations; statements of assurance for special education joint agreements; the hazardous conditions busing policy; student teaching agreements with Eastern Illinois University and Indiana State University; a reciprocal reporting agreement with local law enforcement; a School Technology Revolving Loan Program application; the Health Life Safety nickel levy; 2026-2027 meeting dates; a Head Start collaborative agreement; and Community Eligibility Program renewal.

Board Adopts Resolution #2026-4 Declaring Surplus Property

The board unanimously adopted Resolution #2026-4 declaring specific district property surplus and authorizing Superintendent Shackelford to dispose of it under School Code 105 ILCS 5/10-22.8. Shackelford presented the property list, telling the board a vast majority of the items are outdated technology devices such as Chromebooks and projectors. Those items will be recycled in accordance with electronics recycling recommendations. Also on the list is a used vision screener that is being replaced and will be donated to the Martinsville school district. Shane Todd moved adoption, seconded by Mike Fouty. Members voting yes were Becky Clement, Erin Fain, Gelb, Todd, Jason Sharp, Lisa Huddlestun and Fouty.

Board Names Three Banks, Two State Pools as Depositories

As part of the consent agenda, the board designated its depositories for the coming year. Casey State Bank will hold unit operational funds, certificates of deposit, insured money market accounts and NOW accounts. Preferred Bank will hold student activity funds along with certificates of deposit, insured money market accounts and NOW accounts. First Neighbor Bank was designated for certificates of deposit, insured money market accounts and NOW accounts. The board also named the Illinois School District Liquid Asset Fund Plus as the depository for state and federal flow-through funds and bond funds, and designated Illinois Funds as a bank for depositories. Each institution’s designation includes an “other to be determined” category permitting additional account types.

Board Enters, Exits Closed Session Over 55 Minutes

Members adjourned to closed session at 7:43 p.m. under exemptions c1, employment, and c21, discussion of closed session minutes, of the Illinois Open Meetings Act, on a motion by Mike Fouty seconded by Lisa Huddlestun. The board reconvened in open session at 8:38 p.m. on a motion by Huddlestun seconded by Fouty. Both roll calls were unanimous. No formal action may be taken in closed session under Illinois law. Following the return to open session, the board approved the May 18, 2026, closed session minutes and voted to keep them confidential, then acted on 12 employment recommendations.

Zone Room Report Highlights Student Impact

Rhoads, one of five administrators present, shared the 2025-26 Zone Room report with the board, and discussed the positive impact the resource has on district students. The report was prepared by Littlejohn. The minutes do not summarize the report’s findings, describe the Zone Room program, or state whether the document is publicly available. Rhoads also echoed Sullivan’s comments about the deep cleaning taking place at Monroe Elementary this summer. No board action was requested or taken on the report.

District Received Five FOIA Requests in the Past Month

Superintendent Shackelford reported to the board that the district received five requests for information under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act during the month. He did not describe the subject matter of the requests, the requesters, or how the district responded, and the minutes record no follow-up questions from board members. Under the Illinois FOIA, public bodies generally must respond to requests within five business days, with a limited extension available. School districts are among the most frequently petitioned public bodies in the state.